Top 10 Chord Types Commonly Used In
Gospel
Music
Jermaine Griggs
Jonathan Powell
(Edited by Chuku Onyemachi)
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Rank #10 - Dom13 [sus4] & Dom13 [add9]
G dom13 [sus4] chord:
G dom13 [add9] chord:
Chord Analysis
The dominant thirteenth suspended fourth (dom13 [sus4]) chord and the dominant thirteenth add nine
(dom13 [add9]) chord are related.
Theyre basically formed on the fifth tone of the scale; however, they can be transposed to other tones
of the scale.
The dom13 [sus4] chord can be formed by playing a major seventh chord a whole step below any given
note, while the dom13 [add9] chord can be formed by playing a major seventh [flat five] chord a whole
step below any given note.
For example, in the formation of the C dom13 [sus4]:
The root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a maj7 chord a whole step below C (which is the Bb maj7 chord) is played on the right hand:
In the formation of the C dom13 [add9]:
the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a maj7 [b5] chord a whole step below C (which is the Bb maj7 b5 chord) is played on the right
hand:
Application
In traditional gospel styles, the dom13 [sus4] chord and the dom13 [add9] chord are used as chord 1, 4,
and 5 (aka primary chords).
Beyond that, the dom13 [sus4] chord and the dom13 [add9] chord are important because they are used
as passing chords to any major or dominant chord.
Rank #9 - Dom7 [#9,#5]
E dom7 [#9,#5] chord:
Chord Analysis
The dom7 [#9,#5] chord can be formed by playing a major seventh [flat five] chord a major third above
any given note.
Attention: A major third is simply the relationship between the first and third tones of the major scale. So, the
major third of any given note can be derived by determining the third tone of the major scale of the root note.
For example, in the formation of the C dom7 [#9,#5] chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left
hand:
while a maj7[b5] chord thats a major third above C (which is the E maj7[b5] chord) is played on the
right hand:
This produces the C dom7 [#9,#5]:
Application
The dom7 [#9,#5] chord is important because it is commonly used as a passing chord to minor chords of
the second, third, and sixth tone.
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Rank # 8 - Half-dim7
B half-dim7 chord:
Chord Analysis
The half-dim7 chord can be formed by playing a minor triad a minor third above any given note.
Attention: A minor third can be derived by lowering the major third interval by a half-step. So, the minor third of
any given note can be derived by determining the major third we covered previously and lowering it by a half-step.
For example, in the formation of the C half-dim7 chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a minor triad a minor third above C (which is the Eb minor triad) is played on the right hand:
This produces the C half-dim7 chord:
Application
The half-dim7 chord is important because it is commonly used while playing the 7-3-6
progression, the 3-6-2 progression, and any other minor 2-5-1 chord progression.
Additionally, it can be used as chord 2 in traditional gospel styles.
Rank #7 - Dim7
C# dim7 chord:
Chord Analysis
The dim7 chord can be formed by adding a minor third interval to an existing diminished triad.
For example, in the formation of the C dim7 chord, well need a basic C diminished triad:
then well add another tone that is a minor third on top of the highest note.
Therefore, adding A to the C diminished triad produces the C diminished seventh chord (technically
the A should be called Bbb but allow us to use A in its replacement):
Application
The dim7 chord is important because it is commonly used as a passing chord. You might find it on the b5
degree in traditional and praise gospel music following the 4-chord. You might also find it played before
any minor chord (b2, b3, b6). Also, its important to note that there are two tritones in every diminished
seventh chord.
Rank #6 - Min7, Min9 & Min11
D min7 chord:
A min9 chord:
E min11 chord:
Chord Analysis
All three chords -- the minor seventh, minor ninth, and minor eleventh are practically the same chord
type. Although they differ in size and sophistication, they can fit into the same harmonic picture.
The min7 chord can be formed by playing a major triad a minor third above any given note. The m in9
chord can be formed by playing a major seventh chord a minor third above any given note. Finally, the
min11 chord can be formed by playing two triads a minor triad on the left hand and a major triad (a
whole step below the root of the minor triad) on the right hand.
In the formation of the C min7 chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a major triad a minor third above C (which is the Eb major triad) is played on the right hand:
This produces the Cmin7 chord:
Playing the Eb maj7 chord (instead of the Eb major triad):
produces the C min9 chord:
The C min11 chord can be formed using the C minor triad (on the left):
and a major triad that is a whole step below C (which is the Bb major triad). This produces the C min11
chord:
Application
These minor chords are designed to be played on the second, third, and sixth tones of the major scale.
However, they can be used chromatically at the discretion of the pianist/keyboardist.
Every serious gospel musician must not be without these chords.
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Rank #5 - Maj7 & Maj 9
C major seventh chord:
F major ninth chord:
Chord Analysis
The major seventh and major ninth chords are advanced major chord types that are formed on the first
and fourth tones of the scale; however, they can be transposed to other tones of the scale as well.
The maj7 chord can be formed by playing a minor triad a major third above any given note, while the
maj9 chord can be formed by playing a minor seventh chord a major third above any given note.
For example, in the formation of the C maj7 chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a minor triad a major third above C (which is the E minor triad) is played on the right hand:
This produces the C maj7 chord:
In the formation of the C maj9 chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a minor seventh chord a major third above C (which is the E minor seventh chord) is played on
the right hand:
This produces the C maj9 chord:
Application
These major chords are intermediate and are designed to be played on the first and fourth tones of the
major scale. However, they can be used chromatically at the discretion of the pianist/keyboardist.
These are some advanced major chords every serious gospel musician must not be without.
Rank #4 - Dom7 & Dom7 [b9]
D dominant seventh chord:
G dominant seventh [flat ninth] chord:
Chord Analysis
The dominant seventh and dominant seventh [flat ninth] chords are advanced dominant chord types
that are formed on the fifth tone of the scale, however, they can be transposed to other tones of the
scale as well.
The dom7 chord can be formed by playing a diminished triad a major third above any given note, while
the dom7 [b9] chord can be formed by playing a diminished seventh chord a major third above any
given note.
For example, in the formation of the C dom7 chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a diminished triad a major third above C (which is the E diminished triad) is played on the right
hand:
This produces the C dom7 chord:
In the formation of the C dom7 [b9] chord, the root (which is C) is played on the left hand:
while a diminished seventh chord a major third above C (which is the E diminished seventh chord) is
played on the right hand:
This produces the C dom7 [b9] chord:
Application
These dominant chords are to be played on fifth tone of the major scale. They can also be played on the
2nd, 3rd, and 6th tones in traditional gospel music.
They can also be used chromatically at the discretion of the pianist/keyboardist.
Rank #3 - Suspended Chords Sus2 & Sus4
F suspended 2nd chord:
G suspended 4th chord:
Chord Analysis
The suspended 2nd and suspended 4th chords are neutral chord types that may neither be classified as
major or minor chords; however, they have a common place in gospel music; especially in CCM styles.
The sus2 chord can be formed by lowering the third degree of any given major triad to the second
degree, while the sus4 chord can be formed by raising the third degree of any given major triad to the
fourth degree.
For example, in the formation of the C sus2 chord, the third degree of the C major triad:
(which is E) is lowered to the second tone (which is D):
This produces the C sus2 chord:
In the formation of the C sus4 chord, the third degree of the C major triad:
(which is E) is raised to the fourth tone (which is F):
This produces the C sus4 chord:
Application
Suspended chords are very important because they can be played over a variety of bass notes. For
example, in the key of C major, the C sus2 chord can be played over the following bass notes:
C, E, F, G, and A
You will do well to learn and master suspended chords because they have a common place in gospel
music, especially during worship and CCM-style songs.
Rank #2 - Minor triad
D minor triad:
A minor triad:
Chord Analysis
The minor triad is the chord of the first tone in the minor key. Therefore, the minor triad can be formed
using the first, third, and fifth tones of the minor scale.
For example, in the formation of the C minor triad, well need to make reference to the C minor scale:
Playing the first (C), third (Eb), and fifth (G) tones of the C minor scale produces the C minor triad:
Application
Although minor triads are applied on the second, third, and sixth tones in the major key, they can be
transposed and played on other tones as well.
Minor triads function as subsidiary chords to major chords. For example, the minor chord of the second
tone functions as a subsidiary chord to the major chord of the fourth tone.
Rank #1 - Major triad & Major (add 9)
C major triad:
F major [add9]:
Chord Analysis
The major triad and the major [add9] chord are the chords of the first tone in the major key.
The major triad can be formed using the first, third, and fifth tones of the major scale. While the major
[add9] chord has an additional chord tone the ninth added to it.
For example, in the formation of the C major triad, well need to make reference to the C major scale:
Playing the first (C), third (E), and fifth (G) tones of the C major scale produces the C major triad:
In the formation of the C major [add9] chord, were basically adding the second tone (D) of the C major
scale (which is the same as the 9th tone of the scale; C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C):
to the C major triad:
and this produces the C major [add9] chord:
Application
Although major triads are applied on the first and fourth tones in the major key, they can be transposed
and played on other tones as well.
Section B
Real Life Examples
Example #1 Thank You LORD
Example #2 As The Deer
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